II. JEROBOAM, the second of the name, King of Israel, was the son of Jehoash. He began to reign after his father, in the year of the World 3179, before Jesus Christ 821, before the Vulgar Æra 825. 2 Kings xiv. 23, 24, &c.He reigned one and forty years, and died in the year of the World 3220, before Jesus Christ 780, before the Vulgar Æra 784. He did evil in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the ways of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin. His reign was long and happy. He restored the kingdom of Israel to its ancient splendor, from which it was extremely fallen under his predecessors, and reconquered the Provinces and Cities, which the Kings of Syria had usurped, and dismembred from his Dominions. He reduced all the countries to his obedience on the other side of Jordan, as far as the Dead Sea. And all this in execution of the promises which God had made by the Prophet Jonah, the son of Amathi, from whom we have other prophecies; but not those which he pronounced in favour of Jeroboam II. nor the particulars of the conquests made by this Prince, which were written in the Annals of the Kings of Israel.
The Prophets Hosea, Amos, and Jonah prophesied under Jeroboam II. We see by their writings, that in his reign, idleness, See Hosea v. 1. vi. 8. ix. 15. xii. 11. and Amos v. 5. vii. 13. viii. 14. Amos ii. 6, 7, &c. iii. 9, 10, 14. vi. 4, 5, 6. viii. 4, 5. Amos ii. 11, 12. iv. 4, 5. v. 22, 23. viii. 3, 5, 10. Amos vii. 10, 11, 12.effeminacy, magnificence, and injustice reigned in Israel; that the licentiousness of the people in point of Religion was extreme; that they not only frequented Dan and Bethel, where the golden Calves were placed, but likewise Mizpah in Gilead, Beersheba, Tabor, Carmel, and Gilgal, and in general, the several places where God had at any time appeared to the Patriarchs, and almost all the High-places in Israel. Not that they designed always to worship Idols there, but hereby they acted with disobedience to God, and exposed themselves to opportunities of falling into infamous disorders, by being present in assemblies, where there was so much gaiety and pleasure, and in places remote from view and observation. It is remarkable also, that in his reign several articles of the ceremonial Law were observed in Israel. The First-fruits and Tythes were paid; the Feasts and Sabbath were observed; and Nazarites were consecrated.
The Prophet Amos was raised up by God to threaten the house of Jeroboam with the utmost calamities. He said that the High-places consecrated to Idols should be destroy’d, and that Jeroboam’s family should be cut off by the sword. Amaziah the Priest of Bethel informed the King, that Amos was a rebellious subject, that he inspired the people with an inclination to revolt, and said publickly, Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel shall surely be led away captive out of their own land. This was a calumny framed by this sham-priest; and the Scripture does not say that the King gave any credit to it. Nevertheless Amaziah obliged him to depart out of the territories of Israel; and it is very probable, that he did so by the King’s authority. We know nothing more concerning the particulars of Jeroboam’s life.